The Missouri auto accident claims process can be confusing for people unfamiliar with insurance bureaucracy and legal matters, but it is not something you have to face on your own. The car accident attorneys at Sumner Law Group, LLC, are ready to handle the claims process for you while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
Our personal injury lawyers can help you collect strong evidence, meet deadlines, and avoid common mistakes with your car accident injury claim. We want to use our experience, resources, and resolve to pursue the compensation you need to move on with life after a serious crash.
Contact Sumner Law Group, LLC, now for a free consultation about your car accident case. During your initial meeting with our lawyers, we will outline the process of filing a Missouri accident insurance claim and help you understand your rights as a car accident victim.
What Evidence Do You Need for a Car Accident Claim in Missouri?
When filing a car accident claim in Missouri, the more evidence you have of the other driver’s fault, the easier it can be to obtain the compensation you need from their insurance provider.
Some examples of the key evidence our lawyers can help you gather include:
- A copy of the police report detailing the accident scene
- Photographs of the accident scene showing the positions of the vehicles, their damage, and the road conditions
- Video footage from traffic, surveillance, and dashboard cameras
- Eyewitness statements that corroborate your version of events
- Expert witness testimony, including from crash reconstruction specialists
- Vehicle maintenance records, if a mechanical failure contributed to the accident
- Black box data from newer vehicles detailing the speeds they were traveling and whether the other driver hit the brakes before the impact
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Missouri?
While you have five years to file a car accident claim in Missouri, you should get started by contacting our lawyers as soon as possible. The longer you wait to have our car accident attorneys begin working on your case, the harder it will be to gather the evidence needed to support your claim.
For example, eyewitness memories may fade over time. Additionally, surveillance and dashboard camera footage may be overwritten if too much time passes without a lawyer requesting that the footage be saved.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Missouri?
Under Missouri’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including those arising from car accidents, victims have five years to file lawsuits against the parties responsible for their injuries. Failure to file your lawsuit within this period will result in the courts barring you from recovering compensation through the legal system.
Importantly, the five-year time limit does not pause while you are negotiating for a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Because of that, some insurance adjusters may intentionally cause delays in settlement negotiations to try to run out the clock on your case. However, our experienced lawyers can fight back against such tactics and hold the insurance provider accountable.
How Long Does the Car Accident Claim Process Take in Missouri?
The amount of time it can take to receive your car accident compensation in Missouri depends on several key factors, including:
- How severe your injuries are – Generally speaking, the more severe your injuries are, the longer your case will take to resolve. It is a good idea to wait until you have a solid understanding of your future medical needs before settling your case.
- Whether there are disputes over fault – If it is at all unclear who is to blame for the accident, such as if there are several at-fault parties, it can take longer to work out how liability for your injuries should be divided among them.
- Whether you settle out of court – Most successful car accident claims are resolved through negotiated settlements, which can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to complete. However, if your case requires going to trial, it could extend the timeline to several months or a year or more.
What Documents Are Needed to Complete a Missouri Car Accident Claim?
Some of the documents you will likely need to provide to complete your Missouri car accident claim are:
- A copy of the police report, which is often necessary when initially filing your claim
- A copy of your medical records, including your diagnosis, prognosis, and expected treatment plan
- Diagnostic test results, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans
- Pay stubs to demonstrate your pre-injury income when seeking lost wages
- Receipts for towing and vehicle repair services
Our lawyers can help you put these documents together and submit them to the at-fault party’s insurance provider on your behalf, along with your claim.
How to Finalize and Close Your Car Accident Claim in Missouri
Our experienced personal injury attorneys stand ready to negotiate for a settlement on your behalf with the insurance company. If the insurance company makes an acceptable offer, we will inform you about it. Ultimately, it is your decision whether to accept the settlement. However, our lawyers will provide advice, including an explanation of the pros and cons of accepting the offered amount, as well as the likelihood of securing a greater sum through further negotiations or at trial.
Once you have agreed to a settlement with the insurer, you can typically expect to receive your compensation within two weeks. In most cases, the insurance provider will issue the settlement to your lawyer, who will take out their fees and may pay your medical expenses and any relevant liens before releasing the remainder of the funds to you.
How to Handle Denied or Delayed Car Accident Claims in Missouri
If the insurance company denies or causes delays in your Missouri car accident claim, our skilled lawyers can protect your rights and help you seek the maximum compensation you deserve. We can help you fight the insurance company’s denial, if necessary, by filing a lawsuit on your behalf.
Get Help from Our Missouri Car Accident Lawyers Now
If you were involved in a Missouri car accident, speaking to our personal injury lawyers early on could significantly improve your case for seeking maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and other losses.
At Sumner Law Group, LLC, our Missouri car accident lawyers have over 50 years of combined legal experience and a long track record of securing multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements in personal injury lawsuits.
Contact our law firm now for a free consultation with a member of our legal team to learn more about personal injury claims and the car accident settlement process.
